Transportation in Tanzania

There are many ways of getting from point A to point B in Tanzania, though they are not all exactly the same as they would be in Canada or Korea (the two places I have the most experience with). Here’s a quick and short overview of all the options that you have in and around Tanzania. I should also note that Tanzania (being a former British colony) drives (and walks) on the left. This can be very confusing at times because I always think the cars are coming from the opposite direction that they really are. I’m slowly getting used to it and I haven’t been hit yet.

The Heel-Toe Express* (Kutembea)

This is the most popular form of transport in Tanzania. I use it as much as I can because it’s the cheapest and probably the best for my health. Many other Tanzanians choose this, but due to the slowness of this method of transport, it often gets replaced with one of the following in the event that someone is in a rush (which doesn’t really happen all that often here, but there are other reasons for avoiding this particular mode of transport). Not recommended to be used at night alone (even in a group it can be difficult to see)

Dalla-Dalla

Quite possibly the symbol of transport in this country. A dala-dala is pretty much a small passenger van set up as a bus. They are cramped, hot and falling apart (some of them, to be fair, many are in quite good condition). The rides are bumpy but the upside is they are a cheap form of transportation (only 250 TSh – about 20 cents Canadian or 250 won). They also go to pretty much every where I need to go. When I’m in a rush this is what I’ll take. Not a recommended form of transport after dark.

Taxi (Teksi – sounds like “Tex”)

Basically the same deal as back home, but you have to negotiate the price beforehand as there are no fare boxes or whatever they are called. More expensive than a Dala-Dala, but they are still very cheap (about 3000 shillings from town to my ‘hood, 2.50 Canadian, 3000 won). Also, they are a much safer way to travel at night.

Motorcycle Taxi (pikipiki)

Same idea as a regular taxi, except you ride on the back, usually without a helmet. Not recommended for the faint of heart.

Bicycle (Baisikeli)

Apparently you can rent bicycles here. I don’t think I’ve seen many cyclists with helmets here (as in Korea and other places I have visited outside North America). I have yet to try this and am a bit afraid because of the throngs of people and seeming lack of traffic rules. It seems a good enough way to get around if you can brave the streets.

Private Cars

Though there are way less here than in other places I’ve lived, there are still several privately owned cars, as well as many larger trucks (compared to Korea where the small blue truck with goods to sell on the back rules the neighbourhood roads). This is not really an option for the average Tanzanian, but it is a mode of transport so I added it here.

Long Range Bus

Nicer than a city bus back home, but not quite as nice as a Greyhound or Go Bus in Canada and definitely not as nice as the buses in Korea. Usually these go from city to city in Tanzania. They are cramped but the windows open for a nice breeze. The trip we did from Dar Es Salaam to Morogoro took about 4 hours with no bathroom breaks. I will be taking much longer bus rides in my post project travel so hopefully those ones do stop. Not too expensive. For a trip to Dar from here it is about 6000 TSh (approximately 200km).

Ferries

I have yet to ride the ferry to Zanzibar, but will after my volunteering. It’s either $35 or $50 US and takes about 2 hours. Apparently it can be choppy, but the arrival into Zanzibar is apparently absolutely gorgeous.

Airplanes (Ndege)

I will give more info on this when I actually take one within Tanzania, but there are several small airlines that go between cities. I have a feeling they are small propeller planes. Lucky me.

That’s about all I can think to talk about when it comes to transport. I hope this was educational.

* For those who don’t understand this reference, it means walking (and Kutembea means to walk)